The Best Backcountry Ski Pants For 2024
By, Scott NelsonUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Arctic Quest Mens Ski Snow Bib Pants
Keep your body protected when you're on the slopes with Arctic Quest Men's Insulated Water Resistant Ski Snow Bib Pants. Built from a durable, high-performance fabric with a DWR finish, these pants are engineered to protect you from the cold and snow. Thinner insulation for extreme activity and warmth, Storm cuff and boot gaiter for protection. Read Review
2. Runner Up: MAGCOMSEN Ski Pants Men
The ski pants are made with a thick fleece lining and a micro-stretch fabric that provides the best fit of any ski pants. The elastic waist pockets have been reinforced with ripstop material to provide the utmost protection from even the toughest user. With 4 durable zipper pockets, you can carry all your essentials while skiing or hiking in comfort. Read Review
3. Best Comfortable: Gash Hao Men's Snow Ski Pants
Made with soft and durable surface layer, Gash Hao Men's Ski Snow Pants Waterproof Hiking Snowboard Pants is able to effectively block wind and snow, keeping it comfortable and dry during exercise. It also has special outdoor features such as scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, quick-drying and zippers on the bottom of legs so they can be connected to boots. Read Review
4. Best Lightweight: Tofern Puffy Down Pants
These winter-proof, anti-static ski pants for women are available in a variety of colors and have a wide base to keep your feet warm. The lining is made from soft, skin-friendly and breathable materials, so you can stay comfortable as you explore the snow. Read Review
Skiing in the backcountry means venturing beyond the resort boundaries, and that can mean a lot of things: challenging terrain, unpredictable weather, and a riskier pace. This is why your ski gear needs to be as prepared as you are. If you want to enjoy the best backcountry skiing experience possible, you need to make sure your clothes are up for it.
Luckily, there are some new and innovative options on the market right now that will take your adventures to new heights. After all, who says skis and snowboards can only be enjoyed in the pow? Check out our guide below to find out more about what we look for when shopping for the best backcountry ski pants.
Before making our recommendations, our specialists spend substantial time researching and analyzing customer feedback. Then we found the best backcountry ski pants is Arctic Quest Mens Ski Snow Bib Pants. It is the greatest choice for its high quality. If you're looking for another one, consider MAGCOMSEN Ski Pants Men.
RELATED: As winter is coming, it's time to start thinking about your kids' new snow pants. Here are 10 of the best snow pants for kids that are trending in search for 2024.
Our Top Picks
- Insulated performance fabric and boot gaiters with reinforced scuff and hem guards
- PLEASE NOTE: If wearing an additional layer of pants underneath, please size up.
- Model is wearing size Medium. Height: 5'10" Waist: 32" Weight: 165 lbs
- Reinforced knee stitching and articulated knees for comfort. Adjustable shoulder straps with elastic, Storm Cuff and boot gaiters for protection, Water Resistant Fabric, High density thin insulation for extreme activity and warmth
- Zippered hand pockets and D-ring attachment
- 4 Durable Zipper Pockets: 2 Zipper Hand Pokets, 1 Zipper pocket on right thigh and 1 Zipper Rear Pocket, Keeping Your Essentials Securely
- Elastic Waist: Side Elastic Waist Comes With belt Loops to Make You Find a Custom Fit
- Functional Winter Pants: This Pants is Perfect For Outdoor Activities, Like Hiking, Climbing, Sking, Snowboarding, Winter Sports, Fishing, Working in Winter
- Material: Polyester & Spandex; Ultra Warm Thick Fleece Lined Pants, Suitable for Winter
- Reinforced Knees: Ripstop Material Used at Knee Area For Protection From Even The Toughest User; Micro Strech Fabrics Allow You to Move Freely
- The design-The classic version with two-color stitching can make the overall look more self-cultivating and less bulky. An adjustable stretchy waist allows the body to wear-in comfortably.
- zipper pockets show large capacity & reasonable distribution of storage locations. Three-dimensional knees design allows legs to move freely. 5 All occations accept: Men’s Winter Outdoor Pants are suitable for daily wearing, hiking, cycling, skiing, climbing, traveling, camping, mountaineering, hunting, fishing, snowboarding, snowmobile, cycling…
- Multifunctions: Soft & durable surface layer, with excellent waterproof and windproof function, can effectively block wind and snow, and keep it comfortable and dry during exercise. It also has special outdoor features such as scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, and quick-drying.
- Features: Add zippers on the Bottom of legs—to avoid snow and wind go inside the pants during hiking, skiing, fishing… Zippers design to back up the pants to boots. Thigh mesh zippers can do heat dissipation of the body fast to keep us comfortable of better condition.
- Warm in winter: BS-2020 Anti-static Fleece Lining is made of granular fleece and provides excellent comfort. The surface is made of insulating softshell fabric to lock the internal temperature.
- Unique Sided Zipper: Easy to put on and off without taking off your shoes to avoid unnecessary energy loss during winter sports. You can take off the pants conveniently when you feel a little bit hot in exercising to continue your activities.
- Humanized Detail Design: For your winter outdoor sports like skiing, skating, camping and mountain-climbing, we thicken the buttock and knee of the down pants. Adjustable elastic closure at the bottom of trousers can lock the heat and keep your legs warm at any times. Water resistant oxford materials at the hem let you stride without worrying about wetting your pants.
- Lightweight Package: Natural white goose down filler is easy to be compressed to save your storage space. Packed size diameter 4.7"x12". Weight: 500g.
- Premium Filler: Selected quality white goose down, lightweight without long feather and inclusion. 95% white goose down rate with 700 fluffiness to lock the warm layer upon layer. You can enjoy the warmth and explore the fun of winter sports even in the minus 20 degrees.
- Material and Liner: Made from 20D 400T nylon. Skin-friendly and soft. Compact structure makes it water repellent and down penetration resistance, and keep you stay dry and clean in the damp environment like rainy, snowy and foggy.
- BRUSHED inside for enhanced comfort
- REFLECTIVE DETAILS help with visibility in low light conditions
- Weave type: knit
- Leg style: bootcut
- CALF ZIPPER and silicone gripper on the leg opening
- WINDPROOF by ODLO reduces the effect of wind chill
- WEATHER RESISTANT CROSS COUNTRY soft shell that excels in cold conditions
- Sport type: backcountry skiing
- Taking our favorite ski pants and turning them into bibs, the Legendary insulated Bib Pant features include HELLY TECH Performance, PrimaLoft Black Eco Insulation 60g seat and knee, PrimaLoft Black Eco Insulation 40g thigh and upper bib and more.
- FIT: Regular - Neither slim nor oversized. Regular-fitting garments may be worn over thicker midlayers. Pants will have a standard inseam with a cut that's straight through the leg.
- GOOD FOR: Winter, Resort Skiing, Freeride, Backcountry Ski Touring, Mountaineering
- HELLY TECH PERFORMANCE: Highly waterproof and extra breathable sport specific designs and constructions. For high performance outdoor activities during challenging, changing and unpredictable weather conditions. Fully seam sealed. DWR Treatment.
- FEATURES: PrimaLoft Black Eco Insulation 60g seat and knee, 40g thigh and upper bib, Inner thigh ventilation zippers, Boot gaiters with silicone gripper, Reinforcement on bottom leg and inside hem, Chest pocket, Adjustable suspenders
- HELLY TECH PROFESSIONAL: Extremely waterproof and breathable designs and constructions. For highly aerobic, extremely wet or unusually long-lasting activities in extremely harsh conditions. Fully seam sealed. Durable Water Repellency treatment (DWR).
- FEATURES: Drop liner with brushed seat and knee, Reinforcement fabric on bottom leg, ventilation zippers, RECCO, Attached snow gaiters, Dual hip zipped pockets, One cargo pocket with inner beacon loop, Back right pocket, Adjustable waist with fastener
- FIT: Relaxed - Drapes loosely on the body. Pants are going to be relaxed at the waist and much roomier throughout the thigh, knee, and cuff.
- A classic men's freeride pant with relaxed fit and minimalist detailing
- GOOD FOR: Winter, Resort Skiing, Freeride, Backcountry Ski Touring, Mountaineering
- Intuitive 3-layer Membrane | With a 10k/10k waterproof breathable membrane, you can hit the slopes knowing you won’t end the day feeling soggy and wet.
- Built-In Ventilation | Outer thigh vents will have you wondering who kicked on the air conditioning for sunny, spring ski days.
- Softshell Back Panel | Breathable softshell material on the back panel gives you the added airflow you need when ski touring with a pack on.
- Full Powder Protection | Chest-high bib style keeps the fluffy stuff from sending a chill down your spine.
- Beacon Attachment System | The zippered thigh pocket features a beacon attachment point adding extra safety to your backcountry pursuits.
- GOOD FOR: Winter, Resort Skiing, Freeride, Backcountry Ski Touring, Mountaineering
- The Ridge Infinity Bib Shell features LIFA Infinity technology, HELLY TECH Professional, Lightweight 3-layer fabric construction, Reinforcement on bottom leg, Back thigh ventilation zippers with integrated 3/4 zip for easy entry, and more.
- FEATURES: Reinforcement on bottom leg, Back thigh ventilation zippers with integrated 3/4 zip for easy entry, RECCO, Attached stretch snow gaiters, Dual hip pockets, Left thigh pocket, Right zipped thigh pocket with inner beacon loop, Chest pocket
- LIFA INFINITY is part of our most sustainable waterproof/breathable technology to date. Combining the LIFA INFINITY membrane, recycled face fabric and a PFC-free DWR treatment results in a responsible and professional grade performance.
- FIT: Relaxed - Drapes loosely on the body. Pants are going to be relaxed at the waist and much roomier throughout the thigh, knee, and cuff.
- WATERPROOF PERTEX SHIELD: These bib overalls for men offers you the best 3-layer waterproof protection from Pertex that lets you adapt to different conditions. Their dual side zips prevent excess heat build-up when you're working hard uphill.
- EXCELLENT FABRIC: Made of 100% nylon 40D face with tricot knit backer, these coveralls for men are ideal for warm spring skiing and cold backcountry tours. They come with webbing suspender straps with Warli tribe thatched roof print.
- OUTDOOR RESEARCH: We built a company from a feeling: the urge to get out. It's what drives us. Our tribe is devoted to exploring our outdoor passions and challenging ourselves in the mountains, water, and deserts of the planet we love so much.
- STRETCHY SUSPENDER WEBBING: The stretchy suspender webbing of these snow bibs for men offers a comfortable fit and can be secured to the pants with sturdy clips. Their built-in stretch internal gaiter keeps snow out of your boots and pant legs.
- COLD WEATHER BIBS FOR MEN: These Outdoor Research Carbide bibs come with ski and ride-specific features for comfort and versatility, making them the perfect gear for skiers and snowboarders. They have a tall reinforced scuff guard.
Things To Look For When Buying best backcountry ski pants
There are numerous factors to consider when looking for the best backcountry ski pants to purchase. The easiest way to figure out the right one is to read reviews from people who have already purchased it.
Throughout this article, we will go over certain most important factors to consider when purchasing best backcountry ski pants. Please take your time reading and studying the items listed below!
Gaiters
Activities
Insulation
Waterproofness And Breathability
Fabric Type And Flexibility
Pants Or Bibs
FAQs
What Should I Layer Underneath My Snow Pants?
You should layer your clothes underneath the snow gear. It is worth investing in thermal and high-quality clothing under your snow clothes to ensure you stay comfortable throughout your entire ski trip. On a cold day, you should have at minimum one layer of ColdPruf and Terramar clothing. Make sure you pay attention what the fabrics of your layers are and select the best for warmth. You can choose synthetic if money is tight, while wool and merino wool are more affordable. The different thicknesses are available, so consider your circumstances to determine the most suitable thickness. According to a general rule, lighter models are best for the backcountry and heavy models better for the resort.
Can You Put Snow Pants In The Washing Machine?
Generally, yes. You will be instructed by the manufacturer to wash them with cold water, on a gentle cycle, and dry them. You can find detailed washing and drying instructions at the manufacturer's website or on the laundry tag in the pants.
Should I Choose Insulated Or Uninsulated Pants?
It is easy to assume that uninsulated snow pants will be more stylish than insulated ones. This is not true. Both types of pants can be equally useful if they are used for the correct purpose. Insulated pants are made with a synthetic lining that keeps them warm in cold environments. They are best suited for those with low blood flow or who intend to travel in the snowy mountains for a week. The downsides to the extra layer include increased bulkiness, reduced breathability, and the possibility of becoming sweaty too fast. The uninsulated (also known as softshell pants) come in handy here. These pants are water-resistant, so snow is not absorbed but they don't get sweaty on the legs. The two-layered or three-layered models are divided into uninsulated and non-insulated. They include either a waterproof face fabric, and the other a layer with water resistance. Each option provides enough warmth to allow you to ski or snowboard in the resort. However, uninsulated snow pants aren't recommended for colder conditions.
Are Snow Bibs Better Than Snow Pants?
We've said it before: what do you like more, the convenience of pants or overalls? Consider purchasing matching sets if you also have plans to purchase a jacket. This allows the tops and bottoms to latch onto each other. Perhaps you'd like more choice with the bib. This will allow you to wear it under virtually any top you choose. That's your choice!
Should Ski Pants Fit Loose Or Tight?
The middle. The pants should be not restrict movement and shouldn't be too loose. Otherwise, you'll feel colder and lose more heat. You might consider increasing the size if you are wearing thicker or larger baselayers.
Ski pants should always be worn with thicker layers underneath. You might want to size up, or down depending on which base layers you have underneath.
When shopping for pants it is important to verify the size and length.
Is There A Difference Between Snow Pants And Ski Pants?
While ski pants have a tighter fit, snow leggings are more comfortable. Snow pants, on the other hand, are looser in size and are much more fluid. Nobody wants to be in tight pants when they go up the mountains.
Conclusion
The best backcountry ski pants would be those who suit your needs and demands at the lowest possible cost. With more and more options available, it could be simple to find a design that satisfies all of these criteria. If you're not sure which one is best for you, take into account the Flylow Men's Chemical Pant Waterproof Ski Pants for another option.
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About Scott Nelson
